We crossed Providence Channel from Spanish Wells to Abaco on Friday. Easy crossing, downwind. Not much sailing, wind too light. Anchored off of Lynyard Cay in a nice sheltered spot. I snorkelled over the anchor as always, well dug in. The wind picked up overnight but we slept well. In the morning we tried to visit the coral gardens off of Sandy Cay in the Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park but the sea was too choppy to get in. Took forever to get back to the boat against the wind and waves in our little dinghy with the 9.9hp engine. Wind predicted so we headed off to Treasure Cay where we know we can get into a protected harbour. Good day, wind 15-20 picking up as the day went on, downwind until the turn after Marsh Harbour and then a beam reach. Good sailing weather. Tied up at the Treasure Cay Marina around 3 Saturday afternoon. Nice to be back. I headed for the pool immediately after retrieving Tom’s fishing line which we forgot to reel in before docking. Found the lure tied around someone’s dinghy motor. Carefully and quietly swam up under and disentangled it before they noticed. Out for dinner at the marina restaurant, The Spinnaker. Excellent food, better than I recall from previous years.
Today we are weathering a blow. Up to 30 knots, everyone out wrestling with lines, and helping each other tie down. I went for another salt water swim to rescue a wayward instrument cover, necessitating another pool swim. While I was in the water, my glasses and sunglasses flew off the lounge chair and joined me. The wind is amazing, and this is only 30 knots, imagine what a hurricane must be like. They did have one here in August last year, did a million dollars worth of damage to the marina alone. The temperature has come down with the rain, we went from 28 to 24 in a few minutes and tonight 15 is predicted. Not used to this! Definitely not as good weather this year as last. Hope it improves for our boat partners’ trip later in April.